Bangladesh stunned India in the opening game of the bilateral series on Sunday despite being on the edge of experiencing a batting meltdown in the low-scoring thriller. At the Shere Bangla National Stadium, the Litton Das-led Bangladesh team defeated Team India by one wicket to take a 1-0 series lead.
Indian cricket hasn’t been at its best in 2022, and things didn’t get any better as they lost an ODI to Bangladesh for the first time since 2015. It’s been a shocking year for Indian cricket fans after a glorious 2021, and the biggest shock of the year came on Sunday from Bangladesh. Indian team batted poorly to score 186 runs, but they weren’t even expected to be there. However, they did, in large part because of KL Rahul, who strengthened his reputation as a middle-order batsman by leading the way in batting with a 73-run inning.
Nevertheless, the team recovered and bowled superbly to reduce Bangladesh to 136/9. India lost control of the match in the closing stages despite having the victory well within its grasp for most of the part. Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, the team’s tailenders, pulled off a miraculous victory for the side on their home ground. In Bangladesh’s second- highest 10th-wicket ODI partnership, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman put together a partnership of 54 runs to defeat the two-time world champions in the series opener at Dhaka.
With two games remaining in the three-match series against Bangladesh, India is now staring death in the face. India will suffer their first ODI series loss to Bangladesh since 2015 with one more blunder. Indian captain Rohit stated that the team was let down by the batting performance in the first ODI during the post-match ceremony. Rohit also added that he is hopeful about the team’s comeback in the second match as he has full confidence in India’s young batting and bowling lineup.
“I feel the genes are there and it’s only about handling pressure. I am sure these guys will learn
and we look forward to the next game. Hopefully, we can change things around. We know
exactly what we need to do in these conditions,” Rohit added.
India will face Bangladesh tomorrow in a do-or-die
At Wednesday’s pivotal second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur, India’s illustrious top-order will be keen to reverse the course of events and provide a better account of themselves against the Bangladeshi bowling lineup. While bowlers failed to produce when India needed one wicket to win the opening ODI, there is no disputing that a star-studded batting order also failed to take responsibility for the situation.
The last time India suffered a bilateral series defeat in Bangladesh was in 2015 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s squad suffered a 1-2 loss in the three-match series. However, if Bangladeshi bowlers, particularly spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraj, can silence the Indian hitters for one more game, history may repeat itself at the Sher-e- Bangla Stadium on Wednesday.
For team India, Shabaz Ahmed will be replaced by Axar Patel to add more expertise to the spin department, while Kuldeep Sen will be changed out for another young fast-pacer Umran Malik. Sanju Samson has been brought into the lineup in place of the injured Rishabh Pant, but KL Rahul will keep wickets in the second game.
India’s expected squad for the second ODI: Rohit Sharma(C), Shikar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(WK), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj
Bangladesh expected squad for the second ODI: Anamul Haque, Litton Das(C), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan(WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot.